BY: Amin Ajani

Tag: NXT TAKEOVER

NXT Takeover took place from the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. Charly Caruso and Corey Graves hosted the NXT pre-show. Biggest news to come out of pre-show was Graves announcing that this was his final broadcast on NXT and introduced Nigel McGuinness as his new replacement, and will join Tom Phillips and Percy Watson to call NXT each week.

Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young

Dillinger came out and received a huge reaction. Young came out to the ring with Killian Dane and Alexander Wolfe. Highlights include Dillinger scaling to the top and suplexes Young off the top and but only gets a two-count. Dillinger hits the Tye Breaker on Wolfe, then superkicks Dane. Dillinger hits the Tye Breaker on Young but Wolfe puts on the bottom rope to stop the count. Dillinger dives to the floor and takes out both Dane and Wolfe. Dillinger attempts to spin-the-cat but Young counter and connects with the wheelbarrow neck breaker and gets the win.

Winner: Eric Young

Roderick Strong vs. Andrade Cien Almas

Almas worked on the left arm of Strong. But Strong comes back with a Gord Buster and a running knee in the corner. Almas went back working on the arm of Strong and applied a modified Fujiwara armbar but Strong gets to the bottom rope. Strong blocks the hammerlock DDT and hits a flying knee, a suplex onto Almas’ chest and then lands the Sick Kick and pins Almas.

Highlights include: Gargano and Ciampa connecting with suicide dives to both on opposite sides of the ring. Ciampa delivered German suplexes to both Akim and Rezar and to a big reaction. Gargano and Ciampo both speared Akim through the ropes into the ring. The Authors connected with a combination of a sit out powerbomb / reverse neck breaker to Ciampa but he kicked out.

Ciampa applies the armbar to Akim, Rezar returns and Gargano applies the crossface to him for the double submission attempt (playing of the NXT TakeOver: Toronto finish with The Revival) Rezar powers out and slams Gargano on top of Ciampa to break out of the submission. Ending comes with the Authors, countering the double knees who catch them and powerbomb into each other and then hit the Last Chapter to Ciampa for the win.

Winners: The Authors of Pain are the new NXT Tag Team champions

Seth Rollins calls out Triple H

NXT TakeOver came to a halt as Seth Rollins ran into the ring and demanded that Triple H comes out and faces him (crowd went crazy) Triple H eventually came out from the back and sent security to escort Rollins out. Rollins attacks security but was eventually taken away. This angle was terrific which sets up the build for their WrestleMania match.

Highlights include: Asuka connecting with a double German suplex on both Kay and Royce for a big reaction. Cross nailed Asuka with draping spinning neck breaker off the apron to the floor. Cross connected with a crossbody off the top to Kay and Royce to the floor. Cross, Kay and Royce brawled near the announce table as both Royce and Kay vertical suplex Cross through another table. Kay and Royce, ran back to the ring and continued to double team Asuka as Royce nailed the Widow’s Peak but Asuka kicked out. Finish came with Asuka nailing spinning wheel kick to both Kay and Royce for the victory.

Winner: Asuka retains the NXT Women’s championship

NXT Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode

Bobby Roode came down to the ring with eight women in gowns. While, Nakamura came down to the ring on a small platform. Crowd went insane for Nakamura entrance. Crowd was super hot for the match.

Highlights include: Nakamura hitting Roode with a running knee from the floor then drops a knee to the back of the head. Nakamura then connected with a running knee in the corner then had Roode set up for the Kinshasa. But Roode played possum as he rolled up Nakamura and then with a back stabber. Nakamura attempted another Kinshasa but Roode countered with a roll up and used the ropes for leverage but the referee caught him.

Nakamura mounts a comeback with with knees to the head and stomps and then into a flying armbar into a triangle. Nakamura finally connects with the Kinshasa but doesn’t get all of it and Roode kicks out. Roode was on the edge of the apron as Nakamura connects with another Kinshasa as both wrestlers were on the floor. Nakamura returns to the ring and connects with another Kinshasa but is favouring his knee from the injury he suffered on the floor as Roode is laid out.

The trainers checked on Nakamura’s knee but insists on continuing with the match as Roode takes advantage and hits the Glorious DDT for a terrific near fall. Roode then applied a half-crab to the injured leg but Nakamura counters and attempted a triangle but couldn’t apply the hold because of the injury. Roode hit another Glorious DDT on Nakamura and gets the win.

Winner: Bobby Roode is the new NXT champion.

Overall: Nakamara and Roode had the best match of the night. DIY looked great in the loss and Asuka continues to impress and remains undefeated.

After loosing to Young, looks this this maybe Dillinger’s swan song from NXT and Samoa Joe who was seen chilling in the crowd and may also be on his way to the main roster and could make his debut at the Royal Rumble.

NXT TakeOver: San Antonio was a pretty good as TakeOver never doesn’t disappoint despite the lack of the superstars compared to the main roster. But the quality of wrestling on NXT remains solid thoughtout the roster.